Back in January I had the pleasure of attending a special “Tour of Spain” dinner at Midtown Grille in Raleigh. The dinner featured a 7 course meal created by Chef Benjamin Harris that paired Spanish tapas dishes with carefully selected Spanish wines. I’ve been to Midtown before, but this was my first visit with Chef Harris at the helm in the kitchen and Max Trujillo as Manger and Sommelier. I was already a fan of Midtown but found myself even more impressed after this latest visit with how they continue to elevate their game in the Triangle food scene.

Midtown has a quaint but casual atmosphere and a creative menu that features regionally inspired dishes. It is the type of place I feel comfortable recommending to people looking to celebrate a special occasion or just a casual night out with friends to enjoy great food and drinks. They are open for lunch and dinner and recently began offering brunch on weekends. They have a beautiful dining room and bar area including a private dining area that is perfect for special events.

The “Tour of Spain” dinner was held with 20 or so guests seated in the private dining area of the restaurant. Before each course was served Chef Harris would spend a few minutes explaining the dish to guests and Max, the Sommelier, would provide details about the wine pairing and talk about the region of Spain the wines originated from. Everything was delicious and it made for a wonderful evening out with my wife.

Below is a quick visual recap of the “Tour Spain” dishes served. These photos were taken by the talented Felicia Perry. I appreciate Felicia allowing me to use her pictures as they truly capture the essence of the Chef Harris’ creations. Felicia specializes in photogrpahic services and marketing assests for the food, restaurant and hospitality industries. You can view her portfolio and and learn about the services she offers at http://www.feliciaperryphotography.com/.

Photo Courtesy Felicia Perry Photography

Course 1: Marcona Almonds, Olives and Serrano Jamon (cured Spanish ham) served with a glass of Santiago Fino from the Jerez region of Spain.

There is something special about understanding the history and culture behind the food and wine we enjoy at dinner. It makes for a much more meaningful dining experience and is a great way to enjoy a night out with friends. The “Tour of Spain” dinner at Midtown was a fun evening of excellent food and wine and I highly recommend attending one of their tour series dinners in the future.

Upcoming “Tour of California” Dinner at Midtown
As part of their ongoing tour series, you can join Midtown Grille on March 12 at 7 p.m. for a “Tour of California” dinner and wine pairing. You can view the menu of California inspired dishes and make reservations by visiting their website here.